pikes peak community college: Temmuz 2012

Politics, not economics, is driving President Obama's election year strategy to force a battle over his efforts to raise income taxes. So much of Obama's speech Monday focused on his political opponents and the difference between those whom he claims support the middle class and those who support what Obama continually called "the wealthy."
For an administration that last week blamed Fox News for the class warfare rhetoric, Obama's talk today sure contained a lot of such rhetoric.
But contrast Obama's position with that of other prominent Democrats. Just last month, his former chief economic advisor Larry Summers told MSNBC: "The real risk to this economy is on the side of slow down, certainly not on the side of overheating, and that means we've got to make sure that we don't take gasoline out of the tank at the end of this year that's gotta be the top priority." Former Democratic President Bill Clinton made a similar claim warning against tax increases because it is better to "avoid doing anything that would contract the economy now." Under Obama administration pressure both quickly retracted their statements.
Obama seem oblivious to Summers' and Clinton's concerns about the poorly performing economy. . . . .

Sign2Speak, next workshop, solar party, signing time emmy nod

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Dear Friends,

Hello and welcome to the new subscribers. For those of you who have taken the one hour intro course, don't forget our monthly playgroups. Let me know if you have a topic in mind and I'll try to work it in. The next one is Monday, June 30 at 10am at Body, Mind & Spirit.

Our next intro and workshop combo is SATURDAY, JUNE 28 from 10-11am and 11am-1pm. If you've been meaning to learn more vocabulary and other fun ways to sign with your little ones, register now. There are still spots available.

And finally, another great event I'm helping organize at Body, Mind & Spirit is the June 28th Solar Party. It's completely free and there is even free childcare, though you have to preregister for that. Read more details below.

Come One, Come All!

Summer is here! Help us celebrate summer, the sun, and energy independence and sustainability at our Solar Party on Saturday, June 28 from 4-7pm. Bring your family's favorite dish and let us know if you need childcare. Learn more nitty-gritty details here. We look forward to seeing you there.

Who: You and your family. We prefer you come with your spouse or partner and will have childcare for your kids.
What: the first Body, Mind & Spirit-sponsored energy-independence and sustainability party
When: Saturday, June 28th , 4-7pm
Where: The Source, 1111 Carlisle SE (where you see us for classes!)
Why: Because you will get useful energy-reducing ideas you can apply RIGHT AWAY, tasty vittles, like-minded company and it’s all FREE

How: Simply register online or via phone and let us know if you need childcare and for how many. Then, before you come, prepare a yummy dish to share with others and be sure to pack it with you as you load up the car. Once you arrive, send the kiddies off for their adventures and prepare to be wowed by our expert presenters as they show you how to achieve energy efficiency you’ve never dreamed possible.

What else:

* pack your own re-usable dinner ware, cups and napkins
* Tell ALL YOUR FRIENDS about this event
* Childcare IS free, but we do need to know to expect your children

UPCOMING CLASSES AND EVENTS

Saturday, June 28, 2008; 10-11am
Intro to Infant Sign Language at Body, Mind & Spirit
Learn the basics of how to "talk" with your baby before he or she can say words! Grow closer to your child, while easing frustration and more easily satisfying his or her needs. $10 plus tax.

Saturday, June 28, 2008; 11am-1pm
Sign2Speak Workshop at Body, Mind & Spirit
This follow-up workshop to Signing #1 will add to the basics of infant ASL, taking you to the next level. LOTS of vocabulary, strategies to make the signs easier to remember for both you AND baby, and more ways to keep you both excited about early communication. Join us for all this plus signing songs, games, and fun! $35 for up to two people FROM THE SAME HOUSEHOLD. This will be a fast-moving workshop and we request participants do not bring along infants or children (or else bring along another adult to care for them).

For classes beyond this, visit the Sign2speak Schedule.

-N.NM/S.CO2008 Fun Free Days - Denver

To contact us Click HERE
F
UN
(
AND
C
HEAP
!) F
AMILY
A
CTIVITIES
- S
UMMER
2008
All events have FREE admission unless otherwise noted.
Highlighted events have not yet posted updated information for 2008, so dates and times are estimated based on previous year’s
information. Highlighted events are new or updated since the last posting.
To add an event to this calendar, please contact Charisse Broderick King at cjbroderickking@msn.com.
 FREE DAYS
 Botanic Gardens – 720-864-3500 www.botanicgardens.org
 Monday, July 21
 Saturday, September 27
 Saturday, October 18
 Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Park – 303-973-3705 www.botanicgardens.org
 Friday, June 6
 Friday, August 1
 Friday, October 3
 Friday, November 7
 Friday, December 5
 Denver Museum of Nature and Science – 303-322-7009 www.dmns.org
 Wednesday, June 25
 Wednesday, August 13
 Sunday, September 7
 Wednesday, October 22
 Sunday, December 7
 Denver Art Museum - 720-865-5000 www.denverartmuseum.org
 Free First Saturdays – the first Saturday of every month is free for Colorado residents
 Denver Zoo – 303-376-4800 www.denverzoo.org
 Tuesday, October 7
 Saturday, October 18
 Sunday, November 2
 Sunday, November 9
 Denver Firefighter‟s Museum – 303-892-1436 www.denverfirefightersmuseum.org
 Saturday, August 2
 Saturday, October 11
 Denver Firefighter‟s Museum – 1326 Tremont Pl
 Children‟s Museum – 303-433-7444 www.cmdenver.org
 Free First Tuesdays – the first Tuesday of every month is free for Colorado residents from
4:00 – 8:00 pm
 Hudson Gardens – www.hudsongardens.org
 Sunday, June 15 – free concert too!
 Thursday, September 11
 Hudson Gardens – 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive in Littleton
 Denver Center for the Performing Arts – www.denvercenter.

Blog: Changing the Status Quo in Education--Obama interview w/ ABC News

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Anyone have any links to interviews with McCain on Education? I want to hear what they have to say... Please send them to me...Thanks, Tabbi

http://spunkyhomeschool.blogspot.com/2008/06/changing-status-quo-in-education.html

Changing the Status Quo in Education
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Education may become an election issue after all. Jake Tapper at ABC News takes up the issue of school choice with Barack Obama. Here's a tanscript:

TAPPER: You talked about the need to change the status quo in education today.

OBAMA: Right.

TAPPER: But one of the ways that proponents of school choice say that the best way to change the status quo is to give parents, inner-city parents a choice. Why not?

OBAMA: Well, the problem is, is that, you know, although it might benefit some kids at the top, what you're going to do is leave a lot of kids at the bottom. We don't have enough slots for every child to go into a parochial school or a private school. And what you would see is a huge drain of resources out of the public schools.

Read more at link above.

Albuquerque: UNM Art Museum Summer Treasures

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There are 2 PDFs attached to this so if you can not see them email me or the originator of the email!--Tabbi

IMPORTANT! This message has been blind-carbon-copied to you.
Do not reply-to-all or forward it without the author's permission.

Hi all,

Treat yourself to a visit to these FREE summer shows (see attached flyers for BIG STUFF and Ukiyo-e Japanese Prints) and you won't be sorry. I'm especially excited about the Japanese print exhibition--where else can you visit another place and time for the price of parking? Plus, it's air conditioned!

Happy Summer,
Sara

Sara Otto-Diniz, Ph.D.
Museum Educator
University of New Mexico Art Museum
MSC04 2570
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
(505) 277-4010
www.unm.edu/~artmuse

"It seems as if the artwork is talking to you."
4th grade art partners

sodiniz@unm.edu

8 Temmuz 2012 Pazar

News: Everest College students angry over certification

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HAYWARD, CA (KGO) -- Nearly three dozen Everest College students are furious they haven't received the medical certifications they paid for. They refused to go to class until they get some answers.

Whether they attend class or not, the students have to pay $100.

Some of the students have been attending school for eight months. Three weeks ago they found out that the college does not supply them with a certificate they were told they would get, in order to obtain the medical positions they want.

The students are all studying medical assisting and they paid $16,000 for an eight-month course. They were told the credits earned at the school do not transfer to any community or four-year college and that has many of them angry.

The AAMA told ABC7 that the accreditation the college mentions is one that is given to any career school or college in order to operate. It doesn't mean they can certify medical assistance.

see the whole story please click here

Corinthian Colleges, Inc. Stocks are suffering due to Obama Proposal.

To contact us Click HERE

Ever since Obama decided to crack down on the For Profit sector by releasing a proposal that would tighten for-profit colleges’ access to Federal Student Aid. Their Stocks have been suffering ever so greatly.

Corinthian College, Inc. Stock Update for 7.31.10

Corinthian College, Inc. is the company that operates and owns all the chain of Everest Colleges and Universities.

http://www.cci.edu/

Everest Colleges: Get Connected and Where To..

To contact us Click HERE

Hello!

I would like to share some links pertaining to Everest Colleges, Institutes and Universities.

Stop Everest University College Institute

Have you attended Everest University/College/Institute and have a complaint? Here is your ONE STOP website dedicated solely to putting a stop to the lies, deceitful practices, and fraud.

In order to file a class action suit against them, there must be safety in numbers. One person will not be able to stand against a large corporation, such as Corinthian Colleges, Everest University/College/Institute.

This will give you insight on what to do first before you can go forward with a class action suit against them.

Class Action Suit Against Everest Universities
This is a group formed on Facebook. It consist of students who are seeking information and wanting to speak out.

A Victory for Transparency - "Twelve Days of Colorado's HB1237"

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Since Governor Hickenlooper has signed Colorado House Bill 1237 into law, I thought it would be an appropriate topic for this blog. HB 1237 will require community associations in Colorado to be more transparent with regard to their record keeping. This bill should leave no doubt as to what is required when it comes to disclosure and will go into effect January 1, 2013. The goal is that HB1237 will serve to clear up parts of the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act -- which were too vague in describing exactly what type of records associations should make available to owners. I believe the FPLOA will be impacted by this new legislation in a good way. Many of us have been complaining about “transparency” with regard to records, contracts, financial reports, etc. So, for the next 12 days, I am going to post one (1) point addressed in HB 1237.My goal is to educate our readers about their soon-to-be “new” rights as members of the FPLOA and the association’s requirements to provide specific information, when requested. Oh, by the way, we will no longer be required to state a ‘reasonable purpose’ before we are allowed to inspect and obtain copies of association records. One other note of interest, CAI members have been told that “some (Colorado) legislators, with seemingly safe seats, are focused on introducing legislation next year that will ‘put teeth into CCIOA” to ensure that associations are complying with the ‘homeowner bill of rights’ provisions of the act -- which equals ENFORCEMENT. Yahoo!There is no doubt that HB 1237 will allow members to more actively participate in the business and affairs of our association. I hope you will appreciate “12 days of Colorado’s HB 1237” and rejoice in the improved transparency it is intended to bring to OUR Colorado community association and many others throughout the state.No matter who is elected to the board of directors, the ‘writing is on the wall’ and WE need to be cleaning up the FPLOA “act”. After all, 2013 is just right around the corner.

To All "Friends" - from: Director Skip Bunn

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Dear Fellow Landowners,
This has been a most interesting week for me. As an FPLOA Director, I am entitled by law to see and vote on any contract which any other director or officer has been an accessory too. For the last 6 months or so, I have been left out of this procedure -- along with a majority of the other directors.
Towards the end of last month, I called our new park manager, to set up a time to view the manager’s contract, the grader contract and the bookkeeper’s contract. My appointment was to take place this past Tues., July 3^rd, at 10:00. However, upon arriving, I was told by the manager, that she had been instructed not to let me view these contracts until I signed a completely new CONFIDENTIALLY AND FIDUCIARY FORM – a form which had been put in place one day before my appointment with her.
To my surprise, our corporation secretary was also there. She proceeded to inform me that I could have no one else with me but herself. In addition, I would not be allowed to bring in a notebook or anything to write with. What I thought was going to be a simple appointment, all of a sudden, had become weird and uncomfortable.
After reading through the completely new “CONFIDENTIALLY AND FIDUCIARY FORM”, I decided not to sign it right then. It warned I would lose my FPLOA, professional liability insurance coverage if I revealed information included in any of these contracts –the insurance which protects directors and officers. I decided it would be best to receive a legal opinion from my personal attorney before I did anything.
Our appointed President, now controls all the committees, officers, finances, contracts, professional consultants and our park managers. As an ELECTED director, I am completely opposed to this management approach. It is wrong and needs to be corrected as soon as possible.
I have asked two of our board candidates, Laura Barth and Liz Wilson-- both Certified Managers of Community Associations -- why they did not apply for the park manager position. Their reply was that they believed our president was in complete control of the FPLOA and he had already chosen the person for the position. Also, neither of them was interested in signing a contract which would give the manager NO direct access to the board of directors and which allowed for termination at any time WITHOUT cause.
Usually the new board members are announced today at our annual meeting and seated immediately afterward. Because the election is not complete, this year that won’t happen. In the past few days, the Board agenda has been amended by either the chairman of the board or our president. In my opinion, it is wrong to rush through the appointment of officers and budget for the new 2013 fiscal year before the new board members are seated. I am against this and I will vote against it.
I am hoping my fellow landowners will vote for both Laura Barth and Liz Wilson as our new FPLOA directors. I am convinced that these two community managers have the skills, experience, education and integrity to put our association back on the RIGHT track.
Skip Bunn, FPLOA Director

7 Temmuz 2012 Cumartesi

Leave No Trace Education Near You - Where to find the Traveling Trainers in MAY

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The Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers, as well as the Leave No Trace e-tour Team are conducting the following training events across the country in May. For more information about these or to attend, visit their calendars. We hope to see you on the road!

Want to host the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers for an event? REQUEST A VISIT FROM THE TRAVELING TRAINERS!

Team East May Calendar
Team West May Calendar
E-tour May Calendar

California:

Craft Brewers Conference - San Diego
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park - Descanso

Colorado:

Conservation Camp - Buena Vista
Clean Up Green Up - Salida
Camp Chief Ouray - Winterpark
Hot Spot Outreach and Backyard Session - Buena Vista
SOS Outreach - Avon

Illinois:

Grand Trunk - Chicago
Hi-Cone - Chicago
REI Lincoln Park - Chicago

Massachusetts:

The North Face Role Model - Peabody
Girl Scouts - Douglas

Minnesota:

Youth Leader Training - Bemidji
S.A.L.T 'Mines & Pines' - Crosby
Cuyuna Range Elementary School - Crosby
YMCA - St. Croix
Simley High School - Inver Grove Heights
Minnesota Master Naturalist Conference - Mankato

New Jersey:

Rampano Valley District Northern New Jersey BSA - Oakland
Cub Scout Pack 53 - Fords

New York:

The North Face Endurance Challenge - Bear Mountain
Boy Scout Troop 49 - Valley Falls
Coleman Factory Outlet - Lake George

North Dakota:

Devils Run State Park - Devils Run

Open Places are Great Spaces

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Little Missouri River in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

The e-tour has made it to the Dakotas! Over the past 48 hours, we have traveled from Nebraska to South Dakota to the northern reaches of North Dakota, arriving in Minot today for a couple days of training. It's been a perfect way to experience National Parks Week, as we have been lucky enough to stop in two different National Parks in the Dakotas -- Wind Cave and Theodore Roosevelt National Parks. These treasures of the prairies, Black Hills, and badlands highlight both unique geology and incredible wildlife. One of the coolest aspects of the parks are the herds of wild bison or American Buffalo. Drawing on the legacy of President Teddy Roosevelt to protect the bison by reintroducing them to the prairies above Wind Cave in 1913 from the New York Zoological Society, these parks provide sanctuary to some of the most magnificent creatures on Earth.

Buffalo in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

We want to challenge you to think about the importance of wide open spaces like these. Often people look to preserve landscapes, but sometimes protecting wildlife can be even more crucial. When you think about the Leave No Trace Principle "Respect Wildlife," try and imagine it as an overall goal. More than just not feeding wildlife and avoiding encroachment upon their space, this principle also encompasses preserving their habitat for them when you go into the outdoors. Think about dead trees that are still standing, or snags, which can be used as homes for animals when collecting firewood. Think about campsite selection near water sources that can affect wildlife drinking behavior for days. Think about the role old animal bones or antlers play in wildlife nutrition as sources of calcium or vitamins and why that's an important reason to Leave What You Find. In the Dakotas, the majesty of the bison drive home the importance of Respecting Wildlife, but every time you go outside to explore you are visiting animals' habitats. So think about that next time you're on a hike, bike, drive, or paddle!

On a Buffalo,

Quinn & Frank

Bigfoot On Base

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Bigfoot with Scouts at Minot Air Force Base!

Stopping in at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, the Leave No Trace e-tour got to talk about the outdoors with families who have hiked and camped everywhere from Germany to Japan to Kyrgyzstan. Working with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Cub Scouts, we got to talk about all the different principles of Leave No Trace, help cleanup a city park that had been hit by a flood last year, and share a cookout with Bigfoot himself! With an audience of all ages, we got to play some PEAK games including a heated game of Step On It! and an informative How Long Does it Last? The highlight of the evening was an awesome talk about how to poop outside, showing the group how to dig a 6 to 8 inch cathole and passing around a Go Anywhere Bag. Then everyone learned how long 200 feet really is when they had to race the distance while holding Clif Bars between their legs -- symbolizing when they had to go bad.

We had an awesome time with this group and think that everyone learned a lot about Leave No Trace. Without question, we loved our time being on base and wanted to thank all of these Air Force families for their service to our country! We want to thank the Air Force for welcoming the e-tour onto the base, it was a privilege to visit and share the Leave No Trace principles with the Scouting community on base. Thank you for all that you do, and we can't wait to get back up to North Dakota for another great event!
From the Barracks to the Backcountry,
Quinn & Frank

Minnesota Summertime

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A Minnesota Sunset

While the e-tour rolls into Minnesota and the start of summer there, which can mean only one thing -- flat water canoeing. Canoeing is a great way to enjoy the lakes region of the U.S. and Canada, so if you're packing up and heading out to a chain of lakes this summer, here are a few Leave No Trace tips for your paddling:

Wear great boots -- Trails between lakes are, because of the fact that they go between lakes, much more likely to be muddy than usual trails. So make sure you have great boots so you can tromp right through that mud and protect the vegetation and habitat on either side of the trail.
Don't crash into shoreline -- Give both the landing and your boat a break by wet-foot portaging. In this technique, you slow the boat and use your feet to stop it before it crashes into rocks and landing, avoiding damaging them and keeping from making that big old crashing sound. Hop out in the water to unload the boat and throw it up on your shoulders for that hike over.
Check fire regulations -- Just because your around water doesn't mean you can get careless with your fire building. When you set off on a backcountry paddle, check the current fire regulations before you go and keep them in mind throughout the trek. If you start with a fire ban on your permit, it's a fire ban throughout your trip even if it rains or weather conditions change.
Check your boat for invasive species -- Just like it's important to clean your boots before a backpacking trip, if you're moving your boat from one area to another you should check it for invasive species. Check in with boat permitting offices for the most up-to-date information about invasives and stop aquatic hitchhikers!

We're excited to be in Minnesota right at the start of the season and are looking forward to getting some paddling in ourselves! So enjoy the North Woods & Leave No Trace!

Paddle or Portage?

Quinn & Frank

One of 10,000

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Bears were on the loose

In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, the Leave No Trace e-tour set up on just one lake this Monday -- Lake Bemidji. Visiting a beautiful town, the First City on the Mississippi, we got a chance to go to Lake Bemidji State Park to work with a stellar group of high school students. They were joining us from Voyageurs Expeditionary High School in town, a cool school where some of these students will later this year have the opportunity to take the Leave No Trace knowledge and skills they learned on Monday with them on trips to the Badlands of the Dakotas as well as Florida! Each one of the students we saw will get to be a leader of their peers with their newfound excitement for Leave No Trace!

Students exploring why they make the decisions they do

The students got to learn about all seven principles through discussions, games, and demonstrations. Coming from a variety of different outdoor experience levels, it was great to introduce them to everything from cat holes and human waste disposal issues to using a campstove to cook dinner. Throughout the day, the concept of Leave No Trace as a personal ethic and mindset weaved its way throughout each discussion. For the capstone of the day, they explored the considerations that go into their own decision making both in the outdoors and in the rest of their lives. During the activity, the students evaluated different factors in their decision making processes and considered why they do what they do. As they make individual decisions both in backcountry travel and everyday life, we hope they take what they learned from this activity with them!

Beautiful Lake Bemidji

While at Lake Bemidji State Park, we learned from our new friend and naturalist at the park John about an awesome program called I Can Camp! John, who came ready for the day with a Leave No Trace Bigfoot t-shirt on, participates in this program that Minnesota State Parks put on to help families who've never been camping before get outside, provides them with gear for a weekend, and teaches them techniques so they can have fun in the outdoors. Not only do they learn about how to put up a tent, cook outside, and start a fire, but they get to learn about Leave No Trace as well! It's a great way to educate, connect, and protect our favorite Minnesota wild places! We hope people take advantage of this awesome program, including the weekend at Lake Bemidji State Park coming up on June 8th!

On the Paul Bunyan Trail,

Quinn & Frank

5 Temmuz 2012 Perşembe

The Puzzle of the Current FPLOA Reserves - by Laura Barth

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As a candidate in the 2012 Board vacancy election, I believe I have the knowledge and experience to bring positive changes to the budget and financial reports currently in place. People have asked me what is the advantage of being CMCA certified. The National Board of Certification for Community Association Managers has the only nationally accredited certification program in the field. The 4 steps for completion of the program are: •Coursework in accounting, collections, ethics, finance, governance and the law. •A rigorous examination. •Adherence to a code of professional standards and ethics. •Commitment to continuing education and professional development. That being said, If you were to review the Budget Income/expense statement one year ago April, under Reserves, you would see a very clear picture. Approved budget for the year from assessment income - $288,000 ($24,000 each month). The YTD figure is $112,664.75 positive income (income for the year - expenses paid). By end of July, there is a positive income amount of $128,509.89. There are no published reports for August and September. However, by accounting rules, if you add the additional $48,000 due to Reserves (2 mos. X $24k) and subtract whatever expenses were booked, you should have a total figure for year end. This is not hard (think of the checkbook). $128,509.89 + $48,000 = $176,509.89. Approved budget accounts are fire mitigation, insurance, major road improvements, excess snow removal and snow fences. Just take the checks written for those accounts, total them and subtract from the booked income. Now, looking at this year; the September 30 balance sheet shows that $94,490.34 is in Reserves (not including the existing C.D.s - already allocated $400k). This tells me there were remaining funds. Reports this year do not show a division of the operating and reserve funds. As was reported the previous year, the Reserve fund should have the portion of assessments reflected on a separate line as per approved budget ($382,200/12 = $31,850 each month). So by hunting through the monthly reports; I come up with this at end of April 2012.Start with the $94,490.34 balance, add 7 months budgeted income to reserves $222,950 which equals $317,440.34. Then subtract all the budgeted expense accounts as reported by the bookkeeper year-to-date April. Fire mitigation, $6,357.93 + signs, $3,586.15 + roads, $54,683.71 + Administration bldg., $108,442.47 = $173,070.26. You get a positive number of $144,370.08. The reserve savings account shows an amount of $100,083.71 at end of April. If you take out the admin building costs, the reserves should reflect a positive balance of $252,812.55? Interesting, didn’t we all get an email blast stating that the admin. building was paid completely out of managed funds? What does that mean? According to the bookkeeper, we’ve got a lot of unspent budget for repair and maintenance of roads. Did payments on the new road grader flow out of this fund before any work has been done? Will we ever know?

Submitted by Laura Barth, CMCA Certified

Colorado House Bill 1237 - ORIENTATION # 3

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Beginning January 1, 2013 Colorado HB 1237 REQUIRES associations to maintain and produce to owners upon request…

Written communication among, and votes cast by, board members which are:1- Directly related to an action by the board without a meeting pursuant to the Colorado Revised Non-profit Corporation Act or
2- Directly related to an action taken by the board without a meeting pursuant to the association’s bylaws

Colorado House Bill 1237 - ORIENTATION # 10

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Beginning January 1, 2013 Colorado HB 1237 REQUIRES associations to maintain and produce to owners upon request…

Ballots, proxies or other records related to voting by owners for one (1) year after the election, action or vote.

If anyone is concerned about the results of the 2012 Election for FPLOA Director ...on January 1, 2013, any member will have the legal right to count the ballots for themselves. That is...if they are stored intact and in our brand new admin. building -- where all of the association records SHOULD be.

Going Down the Wrong Path - submitted by Phil, the Greek

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For those of you who have asked me either by phone or e-mail why I didn't run for the board or why I didn't become a road committee member or chairman, I will give you my explanation now. I've decided to post this on the blog so that people who don't live in the park can read it before they vote.
For those of you who don't know me or have heard some rumors about me, (1) I am not a member of any group or of "the elite" (as I like to call them), (2) I'm not a "yes-man", (3) I'm not a "lap-dog", (4) I'm not as smart as some others, (5) I'm an "outsider" and (6) I have a tendency to speak my mind -- no holds barred -- and that sometimes rubs people the wrong way. Since I have a heavy Greek accent, some people find it hard to understand me (another reason for posting this on the blog).

My opinion was that the future of this park looked flimsy. Now, I believe it has no future. I believe the current board is going down the wrong path and looking for answers in all the wrong places. I say this with every good intention. I don't want to offend anyone, but I'm sure I will. I don't think some or all members of the board get where I'm coming from. They may see me as a troublemaker and a complete pain. I've said it before and I'll say it again, "I call it as I see it." With me, what you see is what you get and a lot of people don't like that. Too bad, I'm here to shake up the status-quo.
I believe if the members of the board are more transparent about their decision-making, they will develop trust and that will eliminate a lot of the animosity in the park. I also believe open and continuous communication is the best thing for the park -- which we were promised but never happened. I believe perception is everything, and the perception here is not good. A lot of homeowner's (and landowner's) believe things are being decided without any of their input and a lot of information is being withheld. When questions are asked, answers are not forthcoming. Does that make for good communication? I don't think so. Everything that has happened or is happening (for that matter) seems to fit into a pattern. The board comes across with the attitude that “we're in charge, we're making the decisions, so don't interfere or question what we're doing”. Decisions, I believe, are being made behind closed doors.
I believe the decision-making process is not and should not be a one or two-man job -- especially when everyone here does not have the technical knowledge or expertise in certain areas where a decision requires it. With me, if I have knowledge in a particular area, I'll be the first one to open my mouth. If not, I keep my mouth shut. I'll be the first one to tell you, “I can't help you”. With the decision on the road equipment…now that's an area I am extremely knowledgeable in. I was asked for my input but I truly believe (and now know to be true) the decision on the equipment was made before I was even asked. It was just for show. I challenge anyone on the board or the road committee to prove me wrong.
My thing is details and problem-solving. I pay particular attention to details. I like to take a blank page and then fill it up, step by step, to get the full picture -- not just put a lot of things together and hope it works. When I see a problem, I look for ways to fix it. Again, take for example, the road equipment. There's a lot more that goes into it beside just buying or leasing a piece of equipment. In fact, regarding the lease or purchase of equipment, I don't think anyone on the road committee (except for maybe one) has any knowledge about what equipment and attachments are needed here in the park due to road conditions, altitude, snowfall amounts, etc., or -- if and when it comes to hiring an operator -- what his knowledge and capabilities of the equipment are and how a specific road should be maintained. For an investment of this amount of money and the importance of it to the park, I believe the entire board needed to be fully involved in this decision. I CAN'T STRESS THIS ENOUGH! I believed they should have sat down WITH the road committee and gone over the options they had and everything else that's involved in the kind of equipment we need here and the details of purchasing or leasing of the equipment. That way they knew they were making the best, informed decision and not just a decision made on expediency and the "bottom-line".
As for following the "chain-of-command"… it doesn't work here in the park. I've run into that first- hand. Time and time again, I went to certain committees asking for bids on the Administration building, bids on the fire mitigation, and contracts for the road maintenance. At first, I was given all different excuses why they weren't available. Now, I find out there's some kind of trade law that prevents the board from revealing any of the contracts. Does the board have more rights than I do as a land/homeowner? If so, could someone please explain that to me? I hope they're ready for me come 1/01/2013.
I could go on and on but I think you get my drift....

Phil (the Greek)

E-Mail Sent Today, July 4, 2012 - 6:00 PM (CST)

To contact us Click HERE
PETITIONTO: All Current Directors, Forbes Park Land Owner AssociationRE: 2013 Annual FPLOA Budget & Appointments for Officers of the FPLOAFROM: Liz Wilson, CMCA Candidate, 2012 FPLOA Board of Directors Owner, FPLOA Lots 2103 & 2104

The REVISED Agenda (7/2/12) for this year's Annual Land Owner Meeting also shows an agenda for the Board of Director's Meeting to follow.

Two of the three (3) agenda items are: "Officers of the Corporation Appointed" and "Fiscal 2013 Budget".

The results of the 2012 Board of Director Election are unknown and will remain unknown until new election materials can be mailed out, returned and ballots counted.

As a candidate for the board of directors and as a member in good-standing of the FPLOA consider this my petition to you, as the current serving Directors of the FPLOA, to show good business judgment and good faith by: 1- POSTPONING the approval/adoption of the "2013 Fiscal Budget" AND 2- POSTPONING the appointment of officers of the corporation" until the 2013 Directors are elected and seated. Thank you. Liz Wilson, CMCACandidate, 2012 FPLOA Board of DirectorsOwner, FPLOA Lots 2103 & 2104 PLEASE JOIN ME IN OBJECTING TO THIS INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR BY E-MAILING OUR DIRECTORS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Thank You!

4 Temmuz 2012 Çarşamba

Tijeras: WILDFEST 2008

To contact us Click HERE
Talking Talons Youth Leadership, U.S Forest Service, Department of Health, and Jane Goodall Roots and Shoots are teaming up to bring you WILDFEST 2008! This event is July 26, 2008 at Roosevelt Middle School, from 10:00am-4:00pm. The venue is located within the beautiful Sandia Mountains right of Rt. 66. Learn about Hawks, Falcons, Owls, Bats, and even Reptiles. Come experience teachings about your very own environment, wildlife, and conservation acts. Enjoy the entertainment of magicians, musicians, and even some wonderful balloon rides. The entry fee for this event is $3 for adults, $2 for youth ages 5-12, and free for youth under 5 years of age. For more details call 281-1133 ext 5#, or visit www.TalkingTalons.com

Come for the fun but stay for the adventure!

Here is the Home school newsletter info thanks for your help!

Sincerely,

Ariel Dunlap

Talking Talons Youth Leaderhip Health Educator

www.TalkingTalons.com

ariel@talkingtalons.com

NMHSC Going on a Computer Enforced Break

To contact us Click HERE
I will be back in a week!

OK so the computer crashed taking all my info from the fair and contacts with it...no big deal really...turns out Windows is most likely corrupted so have to go and get my hard drive info taken out before reinstalling Windows.

Through all this I have been working on a NEW IMPROVED REALLY COOL BETTER FUNCTIONING website and way of sharing information and resource around our beautiful state.

So since I have to work on the really slow computer (don't let it hear me it might decide it needs a vacation too) I am going to basically take a break for a week or so from sending out emails. If there are priority ones that need to go out I will still be able to check my mail but basically I am just going to get the new site up and running so that we can just jump into that....wait till you see what I have in store, so exciting! This means that my 'thank yous' that usually go out to vendors from the fair will slowly get done as I find that information again--SIGH technology makes life easier AND harder.

Basically the new website will have forums, calendar, blogging capabilities and really cool webcasts from around NM and beyond and oh so many more online capabilities! Oh yes and if you have a business you will be able to have ads up on the website!! One central location, more exposure, easier access!

Our numbers have grown into the thousands and it is harder for me to answer everyone's emails personally so I am seeing the need for a larger space where our community can really connect.

If you would still like to donate go to the website www.NewMexicoHomeSchoolCommunity.com and hit the Paypal button or email me and I will send you my mailing info. All the monies will go to keeping this community running--and I am doing everything I can to keep it free and/or low cost!

My priority is making sure that we as homeschoolers in New Mexico are able to connect with other homeschoolers and find resources in our community. No matter which way you choose to life your life, raise your family or educate your children we all need connections we all need a community.

I am so blessed to have you all in our world...I can not imagine a better place to give the gift of life long learning to my children. New Mexico is the example of successful homeschooling and I feel that we are leading the way for others in the future!

So on that note I will 'talk' to most of you in a week!!

CA Court to Reconsider Ruling, Decision in 90 Days

To contact us Click HERE
Yeah I know I said I would not send emails but this one is important. Do not panic and go into a campaign of fear that homeschoolers will get their rights taken away in CA I fully believe that cooler heads will prevail. The teachers unions will NEVER like homeschoolers EVER, they will NEVER agree with a family's choice to educate our children. They think every teacher should be credentialed because it is business to them, they are threatened that we as homeschool parents are downplaying or belittling all the hard work they did in going through school to get their degree. And we all know that if every child were to attend the schools in their district that they would be more overtaxed than they already are...that being said we ALL need to be alert and aware of subtle efforts by those in politics to restrict our freedom as parents to have educational choices for our children--remember the teachers unions to not generally support private, charter or vouchers either but these too work in some cases and areas and give parents the freedom to have choices which is what it is all about anyway. When I hear more I will send the information onward.
Here in NM let us continue to homeschool our children, creating life learners, whose own efforts of learning, athletics, performing arts, etc.,etc. be the 'proof in the pudding' of the SUCCESS of homeschooling.

Tabbi

CA Court to reconsider ruling
Monday, June 23, 2008
The California Court of Appeals is set today to reconsider their ruling that required home educators to have a teaching credential in order to teach their children at home. The hearing pits the California teachers union against the governor and homeschool advocates across the state.

The most notable dissenter was the 330,000-member California Teachers Association, the state's largest teachers union. While insisting that it does not challenge the right of parents to homeschool their children, the association argued that state law requires in-home teachers to be credentialed.

Read more at the link to her blog http://spunkyhomeschool.blogspot.com/2008/06/ca-court-to-reconsider-ruling.html

CA Hearing Update, 6/25

To contact us Click HERE
http://spunkyhomeschool.blogspot.com/2008/06/in-defense-of-homeschooling.html

In Defense of Homeschooling
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Sometimes homeschooling advocates are a little over zealous in their defense of homeschooling; as a result, they potentially do more harm than good. Such might have been the case when the LA Times captured this quote from Rev. Wiley Drake at the appellate court rehearing regarding homeschooling in California.

"The Bible, our legal document, says the family is required to educate children based on the Scriptures," Drake said. "We're against government schooling in any form. People who put their kids in public school probably should be arrested."
If the LA Times quoted him accurately, this is exactly the sort of statement that the moonbats on the left like to use to portray homeschoolers as wingnuts that need to be regulated in order to protect our children from becoming wingnuts. Thankfully, Drake was outside the courtroom on Monday.

However, Debbie Schwarzer, Legal Co-Chair of the Homeschooling Association of California, was inside the courtroom and recapped the day's events,

Read more at the link above.

NMHSC NEW WEBSITE IS UP!

To contact us Click HERE
Finally, finally finished-you all did not really think I was taking a vacation did you? Although there were a few days of thumb twiddling after the computer crashed until I realized I had more time to sew!

There are more changes coming but the bare bones are up and running. Check it out here --> www.NewMexicoHomeSchoolCommunity.com

Posts and events previous to today 7/7/2008 are located at the 'old' blog http://nmhomeschoolcommunity.blogspot.com/

VERY IMPT: Once you are a registered forum member please check the 'A Place for Everyone' board and make sure your group and contact information are included and updated.When the computer crashed and then I had to shut down the old site the updated information was lost and it defaulted back to info from a year ago.

Website updates and changes to come include:

**Ability to create your own personal blog through Wordpress, if you do not have one already this is your chance to start one. Does not have to be publicly accessible.

**Paid banner Ads and other forms of advertising spaces will be available on the main pages, the forums and the soon to come webcasting 'NM Homeschool News Network'. Banner ads can ONLY be for educational related businesses, all other homeschool businesses can go to the 'Work It Wednedays' Every Day forum. (This could change but I would like to give education related businesses first choice.)

**NM Homeschool News Network--Still need interested teens to both report and create web-newscasts. Have an interested teen? Qualifications: have a web cam, an interest, moderate computer skills and familiarity with the internet,access to a digital camera and/or digital recorder; be able to work independently; have the permission of your parents--it will take as much or as little time as you have or want to give--if you want to help in some way we will find something you are intersted in working on.

**FAQ section on using the forum.

**Homeschool terminology glossary.

**Social groups within the main forum.

**Photos in your signature.

And so much more---have a suggestion or comment please post it to the appropriate forum if you are registered and if not send me an email NMHomeschoolCommunity@gmail.com

BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW??

1.) You have to register-ALL new members do have to be approved by the moderator. Guests will not have access to the forums. If you are already on the yahoo group or the email list just let me know so your approval can go through quicker.

At this time ONLY homeschoolers or those considering homeschooling can become members. Businesses/entities not owned by a homeschooling family are not allowed to be members of this forum-please continue to send your events to my email NMHomeschoolCommunity@gmail.com In the future I will have it set so that you can become a member and only be able to post to the events/business boards.

2.) Start posting in the various forums. Use 'New Topic' or 'Reply'

To have your event added to the calendar-post your event, go back and click on the topic, at the bottom it says 'Link to Calendar' and you just enter in the date of your event as well as the Title. This will then allow a user to see the event on the calendar and link to the orginal post. For events with mulitple dates please go directly to the calendar feature!

3) Even your tweens/teens have a space! Have them register with their own user account (parent approval will be required under 14) and they can use the forum. Guests can not see their forum and I am trying to figure out how to set it so that only teens and their parents can view it but for now all registered members can view so make sure they are versed in internet safety.

4.) Go to your forum profile information. Get a cool avatar or upload your own. Set your profile. Set your signature. Even upload pictures to your own personal gallery.

5.) You will no longer receive emails from me, everything will go through the forum BUT you can change the settings so that you will receive notices of new topics to your email account. I apologize, I know some of you really liked getting a ton of emails from me but that is part of the reason this forum had to be created so quickly because the number of members & emails I am receiving has exceeded the ability to get all the information out to the community.

And most importantly add your own resources, communicate and share!

Have fun homeschooling!

--
You are receiving this announcement through a NM Homeschool Community Email mailing list. This list is private and will not be sold or shared. If you have any questions or changes to your email address please feel free to email me at NMHomeschoolCommunityUpdates@gmail.com

Thanks!
Tabitha Orr,
Homeschool Mom,
Executive Director,
New Mexico Homeschool Community Updates
NMHomeschoolCommunityUpdates@gmail.com
www.NewMexicoHomeSchoolCommunity.com